REV. GARY G. DESHA
2109 Lake Park Place
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 237-7448
yamahammr@gmail.com
MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS:
Holy Orders/Consecration as Bishop
Emmaus Abbey
The Holy Orthodox Catholic Church
November 15, 2012
Holy Orders/Reception as Priest
Emmaus Abbey
The Holy Orthodox Catholic Church
December 6, 1998
Letter of Transfer and Reception as Priest
The Diocese of St. Patrick
The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches
December 10, 1997
Reception as Priest/Holy Orders
Church of the Holy Spirit
The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches
January 29, 1997
License to Preach
Diocese of St. John
Church of the Holy Spirit
The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches
January 29, 1997
Certificate of Membership in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches
Church of the Holy Spirit
The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches
January 27, 1997
License to Preach
Church of the Holy Spirit
Evangelical Episcopal Church International
June 14, 1996
Letter of Reception of a Minister
Priest, Pastor, Teacher
Church of the Holy Spirit
Evangelical Episcopal Church International
June 14, 1996
Ordination as Priest
Hylton Memorial Chapel
Evangelical Episcopal Church International
October 3, 1995
License to Gospel Ministry
South Gardens Baptist Church
Southern Baptist Convention
April 10, 1977
MINISTERIAL EXPERIENCE:
Symphony Ministries
Alexandria, MN
September 2011 – Present
Founder and director of a Reformed, apostolic, prophetic, church planting, and missional
ministry, making disciples through the sound teaching of the Word of God in order to shape the
mind and fill the heart with the Gospel. A builder, following the apostolic design, in fitting
believers (as lively stones) together perfectly set apart to produce the Church that Jesus is
building. Jesus Christ is the foundation for Symphony Ministries; He is the chief Cornerstone
upon which all the lively stones are fitted. Envisioning strength in the process of building, and
seeing that strength come from the power of the Word and Holy Spirit.
Bishop
Alexandria, MN
November 2012 – Present
Consecrated as Bishop of Minneapolis, MN and all North Dakota. Administer divine worship,
especially of the highest act of worship, the Divine Liturgy. Administer the Church, governing
the faithful in the holy path of Christian living. Administer all the Sacraments to the Body of
Christ. Served to foster, guard, and defend the apostolic faith; to build up, preach, teach,
admonish, pray for, and shepherd the Body of Christ, under the Omiphor of the Holy Orthodox
Catholic Church (HOCC).
Parish Priest - Theotokos of the Passion Orthodox Church
Scottsdale & Glendale, AZ
December 1998 – August 2006
Administer divine worship, especially of the highest act of worship, the Divine Liturgy.
Administer the Church, governing the faithful in the holy path of Christian living. Administer all
the Sacraments to the Body of Christ. Served to foster, guard, and defend the apostolic faith; to
build up, preach, teach, admonish, pray for, and shepherd the Body of Christ. During the Divine
Liturgy, I assisted the Bishop of St. Gregory’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
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Rector - Church of the Risen Savior
Loganville, GA
September 1996 – July 1998
Church of the Risen Savior was a parish of the Evangelical Episcopal Church located in the
Loganville, GA area, a suburb of metro Atlanta, GA.
Pastor/Elder - Covenant of Grace Assembly
Loganville, GA
August 1994 – February 1996
Covenant of Grace Assembly was an independent Spirit-filled church located in Loganville, GA,
a suburb of metro Atlanta, GA.
Worship Leader - New Life Assembly of God
N. Little Rock, AR
October 1990 – May 1992
Contemporary worship is the use of contemporary worship music in an informal setting. I led
congregational singing typically comprising a greater proportion of the service than in
conventional forms of worship. Led contemporary worship in a church with a liturgical tradition,
sometimes elements of the liturgy were frequently kept to a minimum. As worship leader, I led
worship in traditional settings or liturgical worship using conventional worship forms that
distinguished them from contemporary worship.
Evangelist - New Life Assembly of God
N. Little Rock, AR
October 1990 – May 1992
Served as the church's evangelist leading programs to include Thursday evening witnessing
classes; the evening visitation program; the new convert program, and the new member program.
Pentecostal Fellowship Pastor - Church of God's Ministry to the Military
Various Military Installations Worldwide
May 1974 – July 1980
Served as a Pentecostal Fellowship Leader/Pastor at various military installations under the
direction of the Church of God’s Ministry to the Military. Service included, preaching, and
teaching, Bible study, and prayer ministry. The Ministry to the Military is an outreach program
of the Church of God of Cleveland, TN. Its Mission is to enable armed forces personnel and their
family members to effectively live a Christian life in the global military environment of the 21st
Century.
Senior Chaplain’s Assistant
U.S. Army
Various worldwide locations
12/1972-1/1994
Training received from the U. S. Army Chaplain Center and School for Chaplain’s Assistant, and
Senior Chaplain’s Assistant. During 22 years of active duty service, acted as bodyguard and
protector of U.S. Army Chaplains assigned to: provided assistance during worship services; set
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up altar for worship services; visited patients in hospitals; acted as administrative assistant to
senior officers, planned and implemented meetings and events. Provided personnel management
and supervision; screened counselees; provided general and substance abuse counseling, and
assisted with various secular services. Administrative skills included office management,
scheduling, event planning, travel arrangements, accounts receivable and payable, database
management, and with extensive computer experience.
EDUCATION:
Crown College, MA Christian Studies, Graduate Fall 2016
Crown College, BS Christian Ministry, Graduate Spring 2015
St. Bonifacius, Minnesota
St. Louis Chaminade Course Studies Psychology
Honolulu, Hawaii
St. Leo College Courses General Studies
St. Leo, Florida
U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School
Fort Hamilton, NY & Fort Monmouth, NJ
Santa Fe Community College Course Studies English
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville High School, Graduate
Gainesville, Florida
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